paul463

Does anyone here have any practical experience with one? Do they require a steady diet of premium or can you substitute regular occasionally? Are they as capable as any other front driver in light snow conditions? What times are they capable of in the quarter? Any aftermarket support? Any real world mileage numbers?
I know that I have a lot of questions but I am considering replacing my 2000 Blazer (bad weather car) and my 97 Z28 M6 (good weather car). I'm tired of maintaining two cars and have been searching for that elusive "do-everything" answer. I know the Trailblazer SS AWD would be one answer but at 40 large and lousy mileage I can't see doing it. Both my cars are paid for and both get 16 mpg on my short commute(shorter in the Camaro). Having the 6spd in traffic is getting frustrating too. It's like riding Sea Biscuit on a
Merry-go-Round. Maybe I'll talk myself out of the whole thing but in the meantime I'd like to get some feedback. Thanks in advance. Paul

97z28/m6

it's too bad they are getting rid of them. i just picked up a 97 Z34 as a winter beater and man these are great cars. i'd imagine a 06 SS would make a killer highway cruiser. if you drive alot on the highway these are a great car but the fact they are a big FWD auto only machine would mean it's not going to be very nimble.

i recommend you test drive one.

91_z28_4me

You might wish you hadn't done that the LQ1 in the 97 Z34s is pretty weird and will eat itself if you don't replace the timing belt before it breaks. Recommended at 60K miles, I am at 90K on the original and knock on wood it is just fine. Fun to drive but gas mileage isn't that great either.

97z28/m6

well for $500 i'm not going to complain i'll do the belt in the spring plus i don't drive far. i just need to do the oil o-ring repair soon

2000GTP

Its amazing how a fifty cent o-ring leads to a repair bill for several hundred bucks from the local shop.

97z28/m6

thats why i'm doing it myself.

Donutboy97

I'm going to assume that you are thinking about getting a 2006+ SS with the V8, because prior SS had different Engines.

the V8 does require you to use the premium gas, but from what other owners are saying on the MC Message Boards, they are getting pretty decent gas milage. The MC is excellent in Snowy conditions. Living in the Great lakes area and use to seeing 100+ inches of snow a year, I can easily say that it is great in the snow. Having driven one for 5 years ( a 97 and a 01) with just all seasons, it easily handeled the snowy roads and slush. The V8 SS runs mid 14's stock, and I believe can easily run high 13's. They are still working on aftermarket for the car, so it can only get better. I believe the PCM tune is just out, or will be out soon. I hope this helps. If not feel free to ask any more questions or check out http://www.clubgp.com or http://www.2000montecarlo.com for 5.3 Monte's and GP's

96_Camaro_B4C

By the way, the I believe the TBSS can be had for much lower than $40k.

rlchv70

And with AWD strarts at $34k.

MagnaPilot

Monte SS and Impy SS are practically the same car, so I will put my 2 cents in.

First, it does not Require Premium. It just recommends it, it will run fine on regular if you want it too, but you'll loose some HP. The manual states this clearly.

Second, from other reports from the Grand Prix GXP (Also the same car), these cars are just as capable in winter conditions as any other fwd car.

Third, Mine ran a 14.5 stock, with 700 miles and a 2.3 60' foot, I figure it could go faster now that it's broken in. I'm at 12K miles now. The Monte doesn't weigh as much as the Impy or GXP, so they are apt to go a bit quicker. I've seen some with just intakes do 13.6 in the 1/4.

Fourth,
The aftermarket is picking up a little slowly but it's going. Currently there are about 4 options for ECM tuning, one full catback kit, two or three intakes, along with all of the other W-body parts that were already around, as a lot of them still work with the newer cars. There are plenty of suspension parts around as well.

Finally.... Like i said I'm at 12K miles... in 6 months. There are others higher I know this, so far, other than the occasional problem car, I haven't heard or seen any large problems with these cars.

If you have more questions, I suggest looking at a few other sites... like these I frequent....

http://www.naioa.com/v2/
http://www.clubgp.com/newforum/tt.asp?appid=35

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=108

paul463

Thanks guys. Those web sites and your experience give me plenty to go on. It's much appreciated. Paul